A group of teens in Wright City has formed an entity they hope will continue to grow and enhance involvement in the community.

The Wright City Youth Council is currently a group of 10 high school students that developed from an idea that sprung up in January of this year.

Council President and founder Keith Vines, 15, said he came up with the idea for the group in January. He said he initially reached out to Wright City Mayor Michelle Heiliger, who told him that there was a similar idea suggested before, but there wasn’t enough interest at that time.

Vines said since he started the group he connected with other youth councils in other communities and got some ideas from those groups.

Vines said the Wright City group works towards community service and getting youth engaged in the community. He said the majority of members have met the mayor and council members attended a Wright City Board of Aldermen meeting in June.

Vines said the Wright City Youth Council had its first meeting in May at the City Hall in Wright City. Vines said during their first meeting Heiliger was there and put the group in contact with different area leaders.

The council’s first initiative was working with the Wright City Community Food Pantry Executive Director Joe Purl.

“There was a big need for a summer food drive and promoting awareness,” Vines said of the food pantry.

Vines said the group has also worked with Kelly Hill at Shelter Insurance to help promote her toy drive. He said the council members made social media posts and handed out fliers at the Wright City Christmas parade Thursday, Dec. 4.

Council member Matt Johnston, 16, said he is very involved in community activities and saw the Youth Council as an opportunity to work with community leaders such as Heiliger.

Johnston said his involvement in the council has also helped him build connections at Wright City High School.

Youth Council Vice President Trinity Dewitt, 17, said in an email that the organization is built for teens who want to be more connected to their community and make a difference.

She said as vice president she has seen the group grow and steadily make an impact in the community.

“Our council brings together a diverse group of motivated young people who care about local issues — whether that means volunteering at city events, helping with improvement projects, organizing drives, or working with local leaders to share the youth perspective,” she said in an email. “We’re not just a club; we’re a space where teens develop leadership skills, and gain confidence in using their voices to create change.”

Heiliger described the group of students who form the council as amazing.

She said the group came to her earlier in the year for advice on how to get started and contribute to the community. She said she helped them get started and initially put them in touch with Purl.

She said the city’s role is to serve as support to the group and give them the opportunity to grow.

“We want to get them tied into community groups,” Heiliger said. “The thing I will tell you is they will do anything they are asked. They are willing to do whatever they can to help.”

Vines noted that the club is looking to grow and is looking for students in grades nine through 12 from diverse backgrounds. The requirement is that a student live in Wright City or go to school at Wright City High School.

“As long as you are in the area you are able to join,” Vines said.

Vines added that those interested in joining would become part of the focus of the group, which is centered on community involvement.

“I want to bring people together,” Vines said. “We want people in the community to get involved to help people with anything they need.”